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Manufacturing Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Manufacturing Engineer I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Manufacturing Engineer I in the United States is $79,065 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

However, a Manufacturing Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $90,551
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $72,587 to $85,077
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $66,689

Key Factors That Influence Manufacturing Engineer I Salaries

A Manufacturing Engineer I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Manufacturing Engineer I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Manufacturing Engineer I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Manufacturing Engineer I (0-2 years): $79,065
  • Manufacturing Engineer II (2-4 years): $89,629
  • Manufacturing Engineer III (4-7 years): $103,177
  • Manufacturing Engineer IV (7+ years): $125,865
  • Manufacturing Engineer V (7-10 years): $144,591
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Manufacturing Engineer I0-2 years$79,065
Manufacturing Engineer II2-4 years$89,629
Manufacturing Engineer III4-7 years$103,177
Manufacturing Engineer IV7+ years$125,865
Manufacturing Engineer V7-10 years$144,591

Top Paying Cities for Manufacturing Engineer Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $99,725
  • San Francisco: $98,633
  • Oakland: $96,554

What Skills Can Increase a Manufacturing Engineer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Standard Operating Procedures (Mentioned in 4.07% Job Postings): A standard operating procedure (SOP) is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
  • Continuous Improvement (Mentioned in 3.07% Job Postings): A continual improvement process, also often called a continuous improvement process (abbreviated as CIP or CI), is an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes. These efforts can seek "incremental" improvement over time or "breakthrough" improvement all at once. Delivery (customer valued) processes are constantly evaluated and improved in the light of their efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility. Some see CIPs as a meta-process for most management systems (such as business process management, quality management, project management, and program management). W. Edwards Deming, a pioneer of the field, saw it as part of the 'system' whereby feedback from the process and customer were evaluated against organisational goals. The fact that it can be called a management process does not mean that it needs to be executed by 'management'; but rather merely that it makes decisions about the implementation of the delivery process and the design of the delivery process itself.
  • Lean (Mentioned in 1.88% Job Postings): Lean manufacturing, or lean production, is a system of techniques and activities for running a manufacturing or service operation.
Skills Demand Percentage
Standard Operating Procedures 4.07%
Continuous Improvement 3.07%
Lean 1.88%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Manufacturing Engineer I's salary.

  • Chromatography: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Biotechnology: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Manufacturing Equipment: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Chromatography $90,925
15%
Biotechnology $83,809
6%
Manufacturing Equipment $83,809
6%

Manufacturing Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Manufacturing Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $88,678. While startup companies pay approximate $75,070.

Manufacturing Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $75,070
Growth Stage 51~500 $79,374
Established 501~5000 $85,647
Enterprise 5000+ $88,678

Manufacturing Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Manufacturing Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Manufacturing Engineer positions in Telecom or Aerospace & Defense typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Manufacturing Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Manufacturing Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$98,831$48.025%
Biotechnology$94,878$46.020%
Internet$90,925$44.015%
Transportation$90,925$44.015%
Business Services$86,972$42.010%

How Education impacts a Manufacturing Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Manufacturing Engineer I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Manufacturing Engineer I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $76,160 and $79,267.

Manufacturing Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Manufacturing Engineer I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 3.2%
Associates 8.2%
Bachelors 70.1%
Masters 17.7%
Doctorate 0.1%

Manufacturing Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Manufacturing Engineer I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$72,587
Average $79,065/year
$85,077
$6,049
Average $6,589/month
$7,090
$1,396
Average $1,520/week
$1,636
$35
Average $38/hour
$41
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $85,077 $7,090 $1,636 $41
Average $79,065 $6,589 $1,520 $38
25th Percentile $72,587 $6,049 $1,396 $35

Manufacturing Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Manufacturing Engineer I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Manufacturing Engineer I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Biopharma Manufacturing Engineer II $97,098 23%
Manufacturing System Engineer II $94,597 20%
Manufacturing Engineer II $89,629 13%
Production Engineer II $89,629 13%

Most common benefits for Manufacturing Engineer I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Manufacturing Engineer I

Here are companies hiring for Manufacturing Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Manufacturing Engineer I

1. Where can a Manufacturing Engineer I earn the most?

A Manufacturing Engineer I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Manufacturing Engineer I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Manufacturing Engineer I is $99,725.

2. What is the highest pay for Manufacturing Engineer I?

The highest pay for Manufacturing Engineer I is $90,551.

3. What is the lowest pay for Manufacturing Engineer I?

The lowest pay for Manufacturing Engineer I is $66,689.

4. What are the responsibilities of Manufacturing Engineer I?

Plans and designs manufacturing, assembly, fabrication, and machining processes for a production facility. Evaluates assembly, fabrication, and machining processes to identify waste, bottlenecks, and inefficiencies. Utilizes knowledge of product design, equipment capabilities, assembly methods, and quality standards to develop and improve manufacturing processes, equipment, and capabilities. Maintains facility machinery and tools to ensure optimal functionality, effectiveness, and reliability. Analyzes product specifications to determine the parts, equipment, tools, and processes needed to achieve manufacturing objectives. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Manufacturing Engineer I?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Manufacturing Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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